information architecture - don't make me think

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Information Architecture (IA) Kerry Dirks 10/01/12

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Page 1: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

Information Architecture(IA)

Kerry Dirks10/01/12

Page 2: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

About Me• Experience

28+ Years In IT• Roles

Developer, Business Analyst, Systems Analyst, Application Manager, SharePoint Solutions Specialist

• ProductsMicrosoft .Net/Sharepoint, Oracle/PeopleSoft, Adobe Products, Bluebeam PDF

• IndustriesInsurance (Mutual of Omaha), Real-Time Data (Telvent/DTN), Credit Card Systems (First Data), Architecture/Engineering (HDRInc)Twitter @kerdirks

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrydirks Blog http://kerdirks.wordpress.com

Page 3: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA ContextElements of User Experience

IA is the lynchpin between ...• the original

vision and objectives of the site owner

AND

• the first impression of your site from the perspective of the target audience

Source: Jesse James Garrett

Page 4: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Importance

• Cost of finding (time, frustration)

• Cost of not finding (bad decisions, alternate channels)

• Cost of construction (staff, technology, planning, bugs)

• Cost of maintenance (content management, redesigns)

• Cost of training (employees, turnover)

• Value of education (related products, projects, people)

• Value of brand (identity, reputation, trust)

Page 5: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Challenges

3 Clicks Away

Easy To Use Relevant

IntuitiveEasy To Find

Consistent Look & FeelAesthetically Pleasing

Organized

Page 6: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Concepts

• Relative to Interpretation– each statement is vague– each person would have their own interpretation

and experience for each• Relative to Expectations– my definition of each varies

• Relative to Perspective– role, position, hierarchy

Page 7: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Concepts

• Relative to Experience– historical background– current process

• Relative to Usage– how I use the information varies from others– step 14 is different from step 25 (assembly line)

Page 8: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Solutions

Inspector Gadget v2.1 Hyper Flex Quadro Angled Super Slicer

iPhone 5 Touch Pinch Snip Snap Drag Drop Swipe Hand Held Gizmo

Page 9: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Definitions

Information Architecture (IA)

• structural design of shared information

• is the art and science of organizing and labeling ... for usability

• combination of organization, labeling, search and navigation systems

Source: Wikipedia

Page 10: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Relationships

Page 11: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Perspectives Office Work Environment

Page 12: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Perspectives Garage Work Environment

Page 13: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA MaturityBest Practices• Research / Analytics• Strategy• Management• Relationships• Organization• Navigation

Source: UXMatters

Page 14: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA ProgressSteps• communicate vision & objectives• identify targets and steps ahead• maturity varies by org, group, audience , role• establish stages of learning & expectations• measure results • show continuous improvement

Page 15: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Metrics

Context

Content UsersIA

Context

Content UsersIA

Overall Usability Improves In Direct Correlation With IA• better audience personas• better content metadata, options, views, filters• better context through awareness training

Page 16: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Tools

• Wireframing– Pen, Pencil & Graphing Paper– BalsamIQ [source / demo]– PowerPoint

• Online Whiteboards– GE Imagination Cube [source]– Scriblink [source]– Skrbl [source]– Thinkature [source]

Page 17: Information Architecture - Don't Make Me Think

IA Tools

• Word Usage– Google Adwords [Account Required]• Keyword Tool• Contextual Targeting Tool

– Bing Search Suggestions– Web Site Search Results

• Card Sorting– UXSort [source]– WebSort / PlainFrame [source]– Excel